Purchasing a trumpet........???

I am a strings geek-- but i need to help my brother out on this trumpet purchase. I dont know ANYTHING about trumpets at all so yall i need ur help!!!!! (i could tell you exactly how to pick the perfect violin... but not trumpet!!!)





so anywayzzzzz:


i need to know values, advantages, preferecnes on the :





French Bessen (in silver)


1000$$$ in columbus , oh


and the


Yamaha T-300.


250$$ in westerville, oh


both are relatively new, but slightly used.


my little brother is almost 12 and has been playing for about 3 years. he wants a trumpet that will last him until at least college, but high school is good too.





Please, if you can give us some more info basically on the 2 trumpets i mentioned... that would be great! Plus any other reccomendations.


We are willing to pay 1000$ at MOST.


something sturdy--- yeah.





:) THANK YALL SO MUUCCHH!!!

Purchasing a trumpet........???
Bessen is a greater trumpet and more for professionals, but Yamaha is good too and its a greater buy. I'd defiantly go with the Yamaha!
Reply:Yamaha is a terrible brand of trumpet especially if your in marching band i have seen many of them fall apart it isn't even funny even you band director could tell you that i would definately go for a bach (which i own), a blessing, or a king Report It

Reply:Yamaha makes some fine professional horns, but they don't make a T300. I think someone is confused and has a Bach student line instrument. Probably not the level he's looking for. The Besson might be good, but he or maybe his teacher should play it and make sure, as they are a little inconsistent. If that one doesn't turn out to be a good match, I'd watch for a used pro line Yamaha or Holton, or the industry standard Bach Stradivarius.





In any of those brands, just do your homework and make sure you're not getting a student model. The engineering of the bore and valves makes a huge difference.
Reply:If he's only looking to finish high school with it, I'd go with the Yamaha. My first trumpet was a second-hand Yamaha, I got it after I'd been playing two years, and it was perfect for me at the time. It lasted until my last year of high school, and i have a new one now for the music courses I'm taking in university. No matter which one he gets now, if he does pursue music in post-secondary studies, he'll get a better one later. I wouldn't spend $1000 on it now. Yamahas are known to be good quality and sturdy anyway, so it's not like it will be crap just because it's that much cheaper. Get your brother to play it, and if he finds it ok, then go with it! Happy trumpet shopping!
Reply:I've been playing trumpet for 30 years and teach trumpet for 20. I'd pass on both of these horns. The Besson is not a great brand and not worth that much money used. The Yamaha is to old and for $250 probably not in great shape.





With a little work you should be able to find a good used Yamaha or Bach "Strad". You want to go with an intermediate horn. New the price would be about $1200 to $1800. The Yamaha YTR4334GS can be purchased at wwbw.com for $1227.01. Check local newspapers and check with area band directors for individuals wanting to sell horns. You can also check out ebay. Just stay away from all the off brands. Stick with Bach and Yamaha and you'll be fine. Also make sure they have a return policy in case the horn doesn't live up to the description.





Be advised though when you go from a student horn to an intermediate one of the big changes is the metal is actually thinner. The thinner metal allows the trumpet to resonate and be more responsive. It's also going to dent and scratch easier. If he's not old enough to take good care of a horn you may want to buy a cheaper used horn like the Yamaha T-300 and then readdress a step-up horn in a few years. If he's a good, motivated player though I'd go with an intermediate horn.
Reply:i recommend the Yamaha because i play with a Yamaha trumpet.. I'll try and make this short and sweet. I play with a Yamaha (i don't know what type it is) right now and i couldn't be happier with it. But you HAVE TO BABY YOUR HORN. that means routine cleaning and just take good care of it.





my horn cost me about 1,100. if you want a horn that is durable and will last then get a Bach Stradivarius. research them on the net. they might be about 500 dollars more than you want to pay but i guarantee i will last at least till high school or longer. i recommend a Stradivarius because of how it is built and the features on it. most experienced trumpet players i know will say the Stradivarius by Bach is the best.





if he is a enthused about playing and you think that he will continue then definitely go with the a Bach Stradivarius.





most important take your brother to the music shop and make sure that he is plays the instrument i possible.